Quotes about pray
page 11

Ruhollah Khomeini photo
Alessandro Cagliostro photo

“Perchance your prayers will earn your grace, but then you will see nothing of what comes to pass, as you will rest in the arms of the angels. Pray, lady; continue to pray!”

Alessandro Cagliostro (1743–1795) Italian occultist

Balsamo the Magician (or The Memoirs of a Physician) by Alex. Dumas (1891)

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar photo

“There can thus be no manner of doubt that the Muslim Society in India is afflicted by the same social evils as afflict the Hindu Society. Indeed, the Muslims have all the social evils of the Hindus and something more. That something more is the compulsory system of purdah for Muslim women. As a consequence of the purdah system, a segregation of the Muslim women is brought about. The ladies are not expected to visit the outer rooms, verandahs, or gardens; their quarters are in the back-yard. All of them, young and old, are confined in the same room. …She cannot go even to the mosque to pray, and must wear burka (veil) whenever she has to go out. These burka women walking in the streets is one of the most hideous sights one can witness in India. Such seclusion cannot but have its deteriorating effects upon the physical constitution of Muslim women. They are usually victims to anaemia, tuberculosis, and pyorrhoea. Their bodies are deformed, with their backs bent, bones protruded, hands and feet crooked. Ribs, joints and nearly all their bones ache. Heart palpitation is very often present in them. The result of this pelvic deformity is untimely death at the time of delivery. Purdah deprives Muslim women of mental and moral nourishment. Being deprived of healthy social life, the process of moral degeneration must and does set in. Being completely secluded from the outer world, they engage their minds in petty family quarrels, with the result that they become narrow and restricted in their outlook. They lag behind their sisters from other communities, cannot take part in any outdoor activity and are weighed down by a slavish mentality and an inferiority complex. They have no desire for knowledge, because they are taught not to be interested in anything outside the four walls of the house. Purdah women in particular become helpless, timid, and unfit for any fight in life. … Not that purdah and the evils consequent thereon are not to be found among certain sections of the Hindus in certain parts of the country. But the point of distinction is that among the Muslims, purdah has a religious sanctity which it has not with the Hindus. Purdah has deeper roots among the Muslims than it has among the Hindus, and can only be removed by facing the inevitable conflict between religious injunctions and social needs. The problem of purdah is a real problem with the Muslims—apart from its origin—which it is not with the Hindus. Of any attempt by the Muslims to do away with it, there is no evidence.”

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891–1956) Father of republic India, champion of human rights, father of India's Constitution, polymath, revolutionary…

Pakistan or The Partition of India (1946)

Donald J. Trump photo
J. Howard Moore photo
J. Howard Moore photo
Arrian photo
Giordano Bruno photo
Mahatma Gandhi photo
Annie Dillard photo
Alfred von Waldersee photo

“I pray to God that I may not have to live through what I see coming.”

Alfred von Waldersee (1832–1904) Prussian Field Marshal

The last entry in Waldersee's diary, dated 5 March 1904, the day of his death.

Stephen King photo
John Calvin photo
John Calvin photo
Aisha photo
Angela of Foligno photo
Christopher Smart photo
Dylan Moran photo
Edward Everett Hale photo

“Do you pray for the Senators, Dr. Hale?”

Edward Everett Hale (1822–1909) American author and Unitarian clergyman

someone asked the chaplain. "No, I look at the Senators and pray for the country."
Reported in Van Wyck Brooks, New England: Indian Summer, 1865–1915 (1940), p. 418, footnote. Another source states: "The celebrated anecdote... is not so unambiguous as it appears... There is no reason to doubt the authenticity of Hale's reply, but it should be understood within a framework of respect for the senators as well as concern for the country. He knew every one of them personally and regarded them, as he said in his preface to Prayers in The Senate (1904), as 'intelligent men, in very close daily intimacy with each other, in the discharge of a common duty of the greatest importance.'" John R. Adams, Edward Everett Hale (1977), pp. 100–101.
Disputed

Ali Khamenei photo
Julian of Norwich photo
Fannie Lou Hamer photo

“You can pray until you faint, but if you don’t get up and try to do something, God is not going to put it in your lap.”

Fannie Lou Hamer (1917–1977) American civil rights activist (October 6, 1917 – March 14, 1977)

As transcribed in “ We're on our way,” Speech before a mass meeting held at the negro Baptist school in Indianola, Mississippi https://voicesofdemocracy.umd.edu/hamer-were-on-our-way-speech-text/ (September 1964)

Ali al-Hadi photo

“If one of you gives (charity) with his right hand, let him conceal that from his left hand, and if he prays, let him conceal that.”

Ali al-Hadi (829–868) imam

[Baqir Shareef al-Qarashi, Abdullah al-Shahin, The Life of Imam ‘Ali al-Hadi, Study and Analysis, A Maxim from Jesus Christ, 2007, 161]
General subjects

Chief Joseph photo
William Barber II photo

“It was the Civil Rights Movement that said we don’t need to just pray for things to get better in America, we need to march in the street and challenge the injustices of society and declare that segregation was not only a political problem, but a moral problem.”

William Barber II (1963) civil rights leader from North Carolina

William J. Barber II calls for a moral America, Street Roots News, by Christen McCurdy,(8 Nov 2019), Full text https://news.streetroots.org/2019/11/08/william-j-barber-ii-calls-moral-america

William Barber II photo
Morgan Mitchell photo

“OK, monkey, it's just you and me... I'll give you time to pray to your big, filthy monkey god before I food you.”

Darby Conley (1970) American cartoonist

LoserPalooza and daily strip for July 28, 2003
Bucky Katt

Charles Kingsley photo

“Don't holla till you are out of the wood. This is a night for praying rather than boasting.”

Charles Kingsley (1819–1875) English clergyman, historian and novelist

Hereward the wake, 1866.

Lois McMaster Bujold photo
Marianne Williamson photo

“We don't believe that because you pray with someone they're not supposed to go to the doctor.”

Marianne Williamson (1952) American writer

Quoted in Marianne Williamson ends presidential bid, says campaign tried her faith https://religionnews.com/2020/01/10/marianne-williamson-ends-presidential-bid-says-campaign-tried-her-faith/, Religion News Service, (10 January 2020)

Ray Bradbury photo
Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay photo

“Turn where we may,—within,—around,—the voice of great events is proclaiming to us, Reform, that you may preserve. Now, therefore, while every thing at home and abroad forebodes ruin to those who persist in a hopeless struggle against the spirit of the age,—now, while the crash of the proudest throne of the continent is still resounding in our ears,—now, while the roof of a British palace affords an ignominious shelter to the exiled heir of forty kings,—now, while we see on every side ancient institutions subverted, and great societies dissolved,—now, while the heart of England is still sound,—now, while the old feelings and the old associations retain a power and a charm which may too soon pass away,—now, in this your accepted time,—now in this your day of salvation,—take counsel, not of prejudice,—not of party spirit,—not of the ignominious pride of a fatal consistency,—but of history,—of reason,—of the ages which are past,—of the signs of this most portentous time. Pronounce in a manner worthy of the expectation with which this great Debate has been anticipated, and of the long remembrance which it will leave behind. Renew the youth of the State. Save property divided against itself. Save the multitude, endangered by their own ungovernable passions. Save the aristocracy, endangered by its own unpopular power. Save the greatest, and fairest, and most highly civilized community that ever existed, from calamities which may in a few days sweep away all the rich heritage of many ages of wisdom and glory. The danger is terrible. The time is short. If this Bill should be rejected, I pray to God that none of those who concur in rejecting it may ever remember their votes with unavailing regret, amidst the wreck of laws, the confusion of ranks, the spoliation of property, and the dissolution of social order.”

Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay (1800–1859) British historian and Whig politician

Speech in the House of Commons (2 March 1831) https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1831/mar/02/ministerial-plan-of-parliamentary-reform#column_1204 in favour of the Reform Bill
1830s

Joyce Kilmer photo
Aloe Blacc photo
John Herschel photo
Stephen Vincent Benét photo

“I appeal to you that every Christian you are in contact with around the world, make freedom of religion in North Korea an issue. Make the situation known, ask them to pray. Keep reminding so that something will happen.”

Lee Soon-ok (1947) activist, former political prisoner

Interview: Soon Ok Lee https://web.archive.org/web/20071012053528/http://asialink.org.uk/magazine/Interview_Soon_Ok_Lee.html (2003)

Ricardo Baccay photo

“I ask you to pray for me as I exercise my being a father to you all, be assured that I will do my best to serve you all to the exclusion of no one.”

Baccay installed as new Tuguegarao archbishop http://usl.edu.ph/baccay-installed-as-new-tuguegarao-archbishop/ (January 28, 2020)

Petr Chelčický photo

“When you pray is there anyone there listening?”

David H. C. Read (1910–2001) British chaplain

Start of the sermon "What Response to Our Prayers?", as quoted by Eugene L. Lowry in The Homiletical Plot: The Sermon as Narrative Art Form (2001), p. 36

Ron English photo

“I pray my obituary is a hoax.”

Ron English (1959) American artist

Ron English's Fauxlosophy (2016)

Eduardo Verástegui photo

“I believe that even without speaking the same language, we can create unity: we understand each other because we pray. It’s a form of reconciliation of the world across the borders, cultures and languages of different nations. We’re a family and we complement each other.”

Eduardo Verástegui (1974) Mexican actor

Actor Eduardo Verástegui on John Paul II and being pro-life https://aleteia.org/2020/06/06/actor-eduardo-verastegui-on-john-paul-ii-and-being-pro-life/ (June 6, 2020)

George Bacouni photo

“Throughout this ordeal, Jesus is with us and He will not leave us. We pray and hope to soon see the light at the end of this dark tunnel.”

George Bacouni (1962) Greek Catholic Archbishop

Lebanese prelates are concerned about Christian emigration https://www.churchinneed.org/lebanese-prelates-are-concerned-about-christian-emigration/ (December 11, 2019)

John Bosco photo

“Those who pray take care of the most important of all.”

John Bosco (1815–1888) Italian Roman Catholic priest, educator and writer
John Wooden photo

“You actually start the job on your knees, pray, because that's where the job puts you, instantly, on your knees, pray, because so many things are really to be put in God's hands, and to let God lead us, guide us, shape us, form us as we need to be.”

Louis Frederick Kihneman (1952) American prelate of the Catholic Church (born 1952)

Source: Sacred Heart High School Students Interview Bishop Kihneman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL9mdS05f_4 (February 17, 2021)

Lois McMaster Bujold photo
Ignatius Ayau Kaigama photo

“We keep appealing to the authorities to do what is needed, and we pray to God because He is the optimal security that we have. We can’t depend on human security!”

Ignatius Ayau Kaigama (1958) Nigerian Catholic archbishop

Archbp. Kaigama calls on Gvt and Intl Community to protect Nigerians https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-12/nigeria-kidnappings-scholars-priests-lawlessness-appeal-kaigama.html (18 December 2020)

“I don’t have any particular work. I pray for the Jesuits, relatives and friends. Every morning I give communion to the senior and sick fathers in the infirmary. Sometimes Jesuit fathers and brothers come to me for spiritual advice. I try my best to help them.”

Linus Nirmal Gomes (1921–2021) Roman Catholic Bishop

Centenarian Jesuit bishop inspires generations with his profound faith https://www.ucanews.com/news/centenarian-jesuit-bishop-inspires-generations-with-his-profound-faith/89539# (September 16, 2020)

“The more I prayed for my enemies, the softer my heart became. When I felt real forgiveness, my heart was set free. If I can do it, all of you can do it too.”

Phan Thi Kim Phuc (1963) Child depicted in the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph taken during the Vietnam War on June 8, 1972

"In Napa, “napalm girl” Kim Phuc shares story of suffering and forgiveness in Vietnam and beyond" in Napa Valley Register https://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/in-napa-napalm-girl-kim-phuc-shares-story-of-suffering-and-forgiveness-in-vietnam-and/article_4f9225b8-0938-5509-b69b-abe13479fd4d.html (24 February 2019)

Menotti Lerro photo

“When men feel happy, they think of men who love; when they feel sad they think and pray to God.”

Menotti Lerro (1980) Italian poet

Gli uomini quando si sentono felici pensano agli uomini che amano, quando si sentono tristi pensano e pregano Dio.

Mwanandeke Kindembo photo
Mwanandeke Kindembo photo
Mwanandeke Kindembo photo
Steven J. Lopes photo

“Holiness isn’t something that just happens. It’s something that is nurtured, something that grows, something that is benefited by things like rhythm, stability — if you're always rushing and never quite can fit in your nightly prayers, well, then you wind up not praying a lot of times.”

Steven J. Lopes (1975) American Roman Catholic prelate (born 1975)

Bishop Steven Lopes on Ordinariate’s Missal and Gift of English Catholic Patrimony https://www.ncregister.com/news/bishop-steven-lopes-on-ordinariate-s-missal-and-gift-of-english-catholic-patrimony (December 7, 2016)

Arsenius the Great photo

“While still living in the palace, Abba Arsenius prayed to God in these words, "Lord, lead me in the way of salvation." And a voice came saying to him, "Arsenius, flee from men and you will be saved."”

Arsenius the Great (354–449) Desert Father

Sayings of the Desert Fathers, as translated by Benedicta Ward, SLG (Cistercian Publications: 1975), Saying 1, Page 9

“The local Catholic Church here, together with other religions present in Thailand, we have sought to offer our contribution encouraging our people to pray, promoting dialogue with everyone, educating to legality and social justice and morality in social and political activity.”

Louis Chamniern Santisukniram (1942) Archbishop of Thailand

Source: “Social injustice and corruption at the root of the crisis”: President of Thai Bishops' Conference tells Fides http://www.fides.org/en/news/26621-ASIA_THAILAND_Social_injustice_and_corruption_at_the_root_of_the_crisis_President_of_Thai_Bishops_Conference_tells_Fides (6 May 2010)

Buchi Emecheta photo

“God, when will you create a woman who will be fulfilled in herself, a full human being, not anybody’s appendage? she prayed desperately.”

Buchi Emecheta, The Joys of Motherhood. https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/86920.Buchi_Emecheta.

Charles Fillmore photo
Charles Fillmore photo

“I will continue with the good work. I ask all the people to pray for the priest so that we will walk together.”

Dariusz Kałuża (1967) Polish religious servant and bishop

Source: Goroka Catholic Diocese Appoints New Bishop https://emtv.com.pg/catholic-diocese-of-goroka-appoints-new-bishop/ (2016)

“May the Lord bless you. May He carry you through the pandemic, give salvation to the dead, health to the sick, work for everyone. I also pray for priests who are victims of pressure.”

John Lee Juo-Wang (1966) bishop of the roman-catholic church

Source: Why a bishop in Taiwan resigned only six months after installation https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248115/why-a-bishop-in-taiwan-resigned-only-six-months-after-installation (June 23, 2021)

Marcus Aurelius photo
Murphy Pakiam photo

“We hope and pray so that the political situation becomes clearer, to have better balance on behalf of the institutions on this delicate subject, in matters of faith and freedom of religious minorities.”

Murphy Pakiam (1938) Catholic archbishop

Source: The Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur: "On the word Allah, a politicized case: the term will continue to be used in liturgies" http://www.fides.org/en/news/34489-ASIA_MALAYSIA_The_Archbishop_of_Kuala_Lumpur_On_the_word_Allah_a_politicized_case_the_term_will_continue_to_be_used_in_liturgies (14 October 2013)

Mirza Masroor Ahmad photo

“I pray that we all play our respective roles in furthering the cause of humanity and I pray that true peace, based upon justice, is established in all parts of the world.”

Mirza Masroor Ahmad (1950) spiritual leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Addresses
Source: Muslim leader calls for Media Responsibility in fight against Extremism https://www.pressahmadiyya.com/press-releases/2016/03/muslim-leader-calls-for-media-responsibility-in-fight-against-extremism/, Peace Symposium 19 March 2016

Peter F. Christensen photo

“While some bishops may travel with someone to help with the driving, I go by myself. I prefer it that way. I like the solitude. I don't listen to music. I pray and say the Rosary, or think about things. It gives me a lot of time to myself. Not everyone would like it.”

Peter F. Christensen (1952) Catholic bishop

Source: 6 Bishops on Their Favorite Saints, Spirituality https://www.ncregister.com/blog/6-bishops-on-their-favorite-saints-spirituality (21 January 2020)

“We hope that the initiative of these children spreads and many other children all over the world pray for peace.”

Antoine Chbeir (1961) Lebanese cleric, Maronite bishop of Latakia

Source: Syria: “God, give us peace!” https://acninternational.org/syria-god-give-us-peace/ (9 June 2016)

“We are grateful to God for His large grace and mercy to the people. At the same time we ask all people of good will to pray for the successful building of the church, because we know very well that when the Lord does not build a house, builders work in vain.”

Vasyl Ivasyuk (1960)

Source: In Kirovohrad foundation stone of church was blessed http://news.ugcc.ua/en/news/in_kirovohrad_foundation_stone_of_church_was_blessed_57087.html (30 November 2009)

Edgar Guest photo
Edgar Guest photo
Polycarp photo
Alfred Noyes photo
Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel photo

“I pray to the Spirit, not vaingloriously with this title, as titles aren't the most important in life, but the fraternal service of love. What is decisive, what makes us worth more, is to love God and our neighbor.”

Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel (1940) Mexican bishop

Consistory of Cardinals: Exclusive Interview with Monsignor Felipe Arizmendi https://zenit.org/2020/11/27/consistory-of-cardinals-exclusive-interview-with-monsignor-felipe-arizmendi/ (27 November 2020)

Evelyn Waugh photo

“I find the new liturgy a temptation against Faith, Hope and Charity but I shall never, pray God, apostatise.”

Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966) British writer

Letter to Monsignor McReavy (15 April 1965), quoted in The Letters of Evelyn Waugh, ed. Mark Amory (1980), p. 631

Evelyn Waugh photo

“[M]y friends and I are totally at a loss to understand the new form of the Mass... Every attendance at Mass leaves me without comfort or edification. I shall never, pray God, apostatize but church-going is now a bitter trial.”

Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966) British writer

Letter to Archbishop Heenan (3 January 1965), quoted in A Bitter Trial: Evelyn Waugh and John Carmel Cardinal Heenan on the Liturgical Changes: Expanded Edition, ed. Alcuin Reid (2001), pp. 69, 71

J.C. Ryle photo
Milo Yiannopoulos photo

“I’ve finally been persuaded out of retirement. But my skills are a bit rusty, so the best role I could land was an unpaid internship with a friend. Pray for me!”

Milo Yiannopoulos (1984) British journalist

6 June 2022 post on Telegram https://t.me/MiloClinic/35799, verified by Allie Griffin of New York Post https://nypost.com/2022/06/06/milo-yiannopoulos-is-marjorie-taylor-greenes-unpaid-intern/

Sevastianos Rossolatos photo

“Our Church needs help. Ours is a mission Church that prays to reawaken values of closeness and solidarity in others. Only in this way can the Mediterranean be a frontier of peace.”

Sevastianos Rossolatos (1944) Greek archbishop

Italian bishops’ meeting on the Mediterranean. Msgr. Rossolatos (Greece): “The courage of peace through the strength of weakness” (11 February 2020) SIR agency https://www.agensir.it/europa/2020/02/11/italian-bishops-meeting-on-the-mediterranean-msgr-rossolatos-greece-the-courage-of-peace-through-the-strength-of-weakness/

Idegu Ojonugwa Shadrach photo